Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail, Joshua Tree National Park

Date	Distance	Time	Elevation Gain	Average Moving Time	Year to Date Miles
12/27/2017	miles

Map: National Geographic Joshua Tree Map
Guide book: Hiking Joshua Tree National Park, a Falcon Guide
Directions: Hike #10 in guide book, Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail

The drive between the north entrance of the park and the Cottonwood area in the southern area of the park is stunning. Pictures don't capture it. You drive through a basin which is long and flat. On the way, you pass the Cholla Cactus Garden. I usually don't like places like this which have tons of people. But, it is worth a stop! When you approach the area, it reminds me of a field of sunflowers. The bottoms of the cacti are often brown, and the tops are a yellowish tan. Walking in the area, there are tons of people. People who can't stay on the trail. Those same people who can't stay on the trail, running into cacti. Yep. I kind of have to laugh at the people taking selfies who back up into cacti. Ouch. Maybe a good reason to stay on the trail :) The chollas have pieces of cacti that break off - they remind me of round Christmas ornaments at the base of the cacti.

We stopped by Porcupine Wash, just to stare at the vastness of the desert.

The cholla cactus garden...